Registered Dietitian/Diabetes Educator bei Hurley Medical Center

GENERAL SUMMARY:
Provides diabetes self management education and training of patients referred to the Diabetes during Pregnancy Program. Applies evidenced based nutrition practice guidelines for providing quality medical nutrition therapy services to high risk patients in the Women’s Health Services and the Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine. Follows the standards set forth by the Michigan Department of Community Health, the American Diabetes Association, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Participates in quality management and continuous quality improvement activities. Complies with all appropriate safety and infection control standards. Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a courteous and customer-focused manner according to Hurley’s Patient and Family Centered Care philosophy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives clinical direction from the Program Director for Maternal/Fetal Medicine and the Medical Director of the Hurley Diabetes Center. Works under the general direction of the Director for Women’s Health Services and the Nurse Manager for Maternal Fetal Medicine.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Serves as a nutrition and diabetes resource to nursing personnel, resident staff and other health care professionals throughout the medical center and surrounding communities. Serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
1. Utilizes the nutrition care process: assessment, diagnosis, intervention/education, monitoring and evaluation in the implementation of medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education and treatment recommendations for high risk patients in the OB/Gyn clinic, Maternal Fetal Medicine and Antepartum units.

2. Develops and provides individualized nutrition education based on the patient’s nutrition prescription. Documents instruction given, and evaluates learner outcomes.

3. Implements and counsels patients and their families regarding diabetes self management education; documents instruction given and evaluates learner outcomes while incorporating patients diabetes self management skills. Promotes understanding, acceptance and compliance with procedures and activities necessary to meet diabetes management goals.

4. Coordinates with and advises medical staff to assure that patient education and care is incorporated into the patient’s plan of care.
5. Evaluates diagnostic tests, biochemical data, diabetes device and equipment use, and patient’s food and blood glucose records.

6. Recommends the initiation of pharmacotherapy. Recommends adjustments to pharmacotherapy, based on integration of nutrition, laboratory tests, blood glucose data, physical therapy and progression of pregnancy/disease.

7. Provides instruction on diabetes medications, including insulin and approved oral medications for diabetic pregnant women.

8. Performs diabetes blood glucose management and recommends medication adjustments in the outpatient clinics.

9. Confers with physicians, resident staff and other members of the health care team to recommend appropriate nutrition treatment.

10. Demonstrates effective judgment and ability to understand and adjust teaching methods to the unique cultural and educational level of each patient that is served.

11. Provides postpartum follow-up education for patients with diabetes. Coordinates discharge planning with other medical center staff.

12. Uses evidenced-based medicine and best practices to provide quality diabetes education and management; and quality nutrition care.

13. Acts as a nutrition resource in the OB/Gyn clinic, Maternal Fetal Medicine and on the Antepartum units.

14. Collaborates with employees in Nutrition Services and Patient Tray services as necessary in the coordination of inpatient nutrition care and education.

15. Maintains current knowledge and skills in diabetes self management and education.

16. Maintains current knowledge and skills in the nutrition care process: assessment, diagnosis, intervention/education, monitoring and evaluation.

17. Assists in data collection for research in diabetes during pregnancy.

18. Assists with annual curriculum review and formal diabetes program evaluation.

19. Adheres to department and hospital standards of practice including Federal, State, and the Joint Commission regulations.

20. Performs other related duties as required/assigned. Utilizes new improvements and/or technologies that relate to job assignments.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Baccalaureate degree in related health care field with courses in nutrition and dietetics
• Working knowledge of evidenced based-practice
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, physicians, medical center personnel, governing agencies and the general public.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Registered dietitian, (credentialed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics);
• 2 or more years experience as a Registered Dietitian, including experience in obstetrics/gynecology, reproductive women’s health, patient education and diabetes management preferred.
• Certified or Certified-eligible by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, as a Diabetes Educator, (CDE). Employees who are certified-eligible must become certified within three (3) years from date of appointment to the classification.